Rep. Iris Rudder

Maddy summaryHB 2643 restructures Winchester’s utility governance by creating a Board of Public Utilities with five members (including the Mayor as a standing member during their term). It establishes four-year terms for appointed members with rotating expirations, requires City Council approval for appointments and budget decisions, and mandates that utility rates and service charges be reviewed by both the Board and City Council. The bill specifies that utility revenues must cover operational costs, debt payments, system improvements, and a tax-equivalent payment to the city’s general fund, while prohibiting free utility services for city departments. This directly affects Winchester’s local government operations, utility rate-setting, and budget processes for water, wastewater, and electricity systems. The bill requires two-thirds approval from Winchester’s City Council to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1757 creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for recklessly discharging a firearm into the air, ground, water, or an object near people at public gatherings or events with at least 25 attendees. It directly affects individuals who recklessly fire guns in these settings, such as during concerts, sports events, or festivals. Key exceptions include law enforcement officers acting in duty, military personnel, wildlife officers, and situations involving self-defense against animal attacks. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39.

Maddy summaryHB 2443 modifies Tennessee's child support laws by changing the age at which parental support obligations typically end from 18 to 19 years. The bill specifies that parents must continue paying support until a child turns 19, unless the child is disabled or has a handicap, as defined in existing law. This change directly affects parents legally responsible for child support payments and modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 34-1-102 (parental responsibility), 36-5-101 (support case documentation), and references Title 37, Chapter 1. The key provision replaces previous language allowing support beyond 18 only for high school students, now setting a firm 19-year cutoff with the disability exception.

Maddy summaryHB 1950 removes a requirement that applicants for speech language pathologist licensure in Tennessee must hold an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certificate of clinical competence. The bill directly affects individuals seeking licensure as speech language pathologists by eliminating this specific membership and certification barrier. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to state the board "shall not require by rule" an ASHA certificate for provisional licensure or while awaiting full licensure approval. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, streamlining the path to licensure without altering educational or examination standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1756 directs Tennessee's Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance to study how neighboring states are using new health insurance models to address substance use disorder, using existing agency resources. The bill requires the commissioner to compile findings and recommendations into a report for the Tennessee General Assembly by December 31, 2026. It focuses specifically on insurance coverage and reimbursement strategies, without creating new laws or funding. The study aims to inform future legislative decisions on expanding insurance approaches for substance use disorder treatment. This is a procedural study bill with no direct impact on current insurance policies or beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 revises Tennessee's annual reporting requirements for district attorneys general (DAs). It requires DAs to include specific aggregate data - such as indictments filed, cases transferred for pro tem prosecution, and dispositions like dismissals or plea agreements - in their annual reports to state officials and the public. The bill also mandates that court clerks with jurisdiction over misdemeanor and felony cases provide DAs and the DA conference direct, unlimited access to their case management systems to collect this data. This change aims to streamline data collection for reporting while ensuring courts cooperate with DAs' statutory obligations.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors the Franklin County Garden Club during National Garden Week in June 2026. The measure recognizes the club's efforts to beautify the community, educate students, and restore the historic Carrick Academy Bell at Clark Memorial Elementary School. By passing unanimously, the Tennessee House of Representatives formally commends the organization's contributions to environmental preservation and community improvement.

Maddy summaryHB 2465 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-35-501 to require individuals convicted of certain serious offenses to serve 100% of their sentence without any sentence reduction credits. The bill specifically adds conspiracy, criminal attempt, and solicitation related to the offenses already listed in the statute (such as violent crimes and certain drug offenses) to the category of crimes where full sentences apply. This policy change directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses who would otherwise qualify for sentence credits through programs like good behavior or rehabilitation. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 2442 changes the notice period required for meetings of Tennessee's District Attorneys General Conference. It amends state law to require the conference president to provide members with ten business days' notice before calling a meeting, instead of ten calendar days. This adjustment affects the conference leadership and its members by altering the administrative timing for scheduling meetings. The bill makes a procedural change to the conference's meeting notice requirements without altering legal authority or policy substance. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone when warning flashers (like those on school buses) were active. This applies to all DUI convictions meeting both conditions, increasing the sentence beyond the standard penalty under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-402 to implement this change, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers convicted of DUI in active school zone scenarios with operational warning lights. The provision does not apply to DUI offenses without these specific conditions.